Welcome to yet another pandemic week! It’s officially Monday, but who even cares.
First, let’s laugh and laugh and laugh and LAUGH at the Brits. Babies, you wouldn’t survive five minutes in Texas:
This is how hot the UK is right now đŽ #heatwave pic.twitter.com/EQJncfKucx
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 31, 2020
Second, Sarah Cooper continues to be a queen:
How to tick tack pic.twitter.com/1Mn8nk363f
— Sarah Cooper (@sarahcpr) July 31, 2020
Finally, Sam Neil has a pig. It’s a wonderful pig.
Morning walks. With pigs . pic.twitter.com/AAdSjs6ARV
— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) February 4, 2020
OK, onto the bullshit.
So, we’ve been told over and over again that kids don’t get this virus and that’s why we should reopen the schools. More accurate: kids don’t become as sick from this virus as adults, but they do catch the virus and are capable of giving the virus to others incuding their families and teachers. Exhibit A: a sleepaway camp in Georgia had 260 of 344 its campers and counselors test positive for the virus in the weeks after the campers were sent home. “Of that total, children were 168 of the positives, with 51 of the 100 children ages 6 to 10 positive. The overnight camp opened June 21 and closed six days later. The CDC said 74 percent of attendees had symptoms, including fever, headache, and sore throat.”
YMCA of Metro Atlanta officials said they âregretâ the decision to open.
âAttending Camp High Harbour is a tradition numerous generations of Y families look forward to every summer,â the organization said in a statement to NBC News. âMany of these individuals reached out to the Y to express their desire for us to open our resident camps in an effort to create normalcy in their childrenâs lives due to the detrimental impact of COVID-19,â the statement continued.
âThis weighed heavily in our decision to open, a decision in retrospect we now regret.â
Reopening the schools is dangerous because kids can absolutely be vectors and will expose potentially vulnerable adults to the virus. But we also have to keep in mind there are plenty of vulnerable children, too. So how many dead children are an acceptable loss in exchange for society reopening the schools? How many dead teachers, counselors, janitors, principals, cafeteria staff? I want to know the EXACT NUMBERS. Someone please tell me how many dead children are OK in exchange for bars to be open.
And, by the way, President Typhoid Mary’s son’s school is going to remain closed, but he wants your kids to go in person.
The US Government has made an ad about its response to the pandemic, and itâs surprisingly honest and informative. đşđ¸ pic.twitter.com/DoaAwbciJg
— theJuice (@thejuicemedia) July 31, 2020
Oh, hey, the GOP is now trying to ban journalists from their convention, and are blaming the virus.
CNNâs Wolf Blitzer denounced the decision as âsimply unacceptableâ and predicted that âwhoever made this ridiculous idea is going to have to back out of it very soon. This is the United States of America, where we have a free press.â Richard Stengel, a former top editor of Time magazine and ex-Obama State Department official, said the âGOP has gone from the party of limited government to the party of limited free press. From libertarianism to authoritarianism.â
Part of this decision is definitely about the GOP and President Authoritarian wanting to punish “FAKE NEWS,” but I can’t help but think that this is also about trying to protect the Baby-in-Chief’s delicate ego when they won’t be able to produce images of adoring crowds cheering his acceptance speech.
On that note, I’m just going to leave this image here for no reason.
Today, Trump held a rally in Florida & the crowd was nearly empty. They expected 10,000 supporters & less than 200 showed up.
None were wearing masks.
This photo was take while Trump was speaking, not before & not after.#Biden2020 pic.twitter.com/4mBWxynams
— Stone (@stonecold2050) July 31, 2020
Covering the conventions is going to be a challenge thanks to the ever-changing situation, but at least the Democrats don’t feel like they have anything to hide from the American people.
S.W.A.T. might be the first network TV scripted series to restart production … beginning tomorrow? Good luck with all that.
Family Feud is also set to restart filming tomorrow. And, wait, Supermarket Sweep started filming on Friday? Ok.
The Young and the Restless is set to return on CBS on August 10. When it returns, all four soaps will be broadcasting with new episodes. Speaking of: when General Hospital returns this week, Lindsay Hartley will be filling in as Sam. Kelly Monaco had to go into self-quarantine for two weeks, but as of this writing is fine and tested negative.
Keke Palmer places the blame of the cancellation of her show Strahan, Sara and Keke on the virus, not on her outspokenness on racial issues, as some have speculated.
Australia has also begun TV production with comedy, Aftertaste.
Lena Dunham had COVID-19, and discussed her experience and lingering symptoms on Instagram:
Annabelle is all of us.
Wonder what Annabelle has been up to in quarantine? Happy National Doll Day! pic.twitter.com/E6Dq2TtaLi
— New Line Cinema (@newlinecinema) August 2, 2020
Antebellum has been taken off the theater schedule altogether, despite the Tenet folks insistence that movies are coming back in September (they’re not).
Dune is still expected to open on December 18, despite reshoots being delayed by the pandemic. Y’all, the reshoots are the least of the reasons why this isn’t going to open on time.
In fact, it’s going to cost a lot more to make movies and TV shows for the foreseeable future.
One of the biggest problems facing productions: testing delays. When it takes WEEKS for results to come back, it makes filming tough.
âTesting is the hardest thing right now for production,â said Ganiere, who wrapped production July 17. âTheyâre having problems where productions just canât get access to tests.â
As infection numbers rise across the country, public testing sites struggle to provide results even within 10 days â a far cry from the 48-hour-max turnaround that SAG-AFTRA demands before giving productions the OK. âWhat happens in 10 days? You could have a pandemic happen on set,â Ganiere said.
Another film inspired by the quarantine is in the works in London. Will anyone really want to watch any of these when all is said and done?
You know, I was going to be negative about this story about Travis Scott capitalizing on the virus by coming out with his own line of face masks and other products, but on second thought, if a Travis Scott-branded face mask is what it takes for someone to wear a mask who otherwise wouldn’t, then God bless. Make that money, Travis.
Robert Durst’s victims are going to have to wait a bit longer for justice thanks to this virus.
All Other TV News
WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA: There are rumors out there that Tayshia Adams is quarantining so as to become the new Bachelorette after Clare Crowley LEFT THE SHOW. WHAT? According to rumors, Clare fell in love with contestant Dale Moss (see below) and opted to leave the show rather than continue her “journey.”

Potential bachelors who had auditioned for the show but weren’t cast were called back to the set, indicating that something crazy has happened. Reality Steve is on it and claims that Tayshia is in the town where The Bachelorette is filming, so STAY TUNED.
(MAJOR SPOILER): Iâve been made aware of this Reddit post making the rounds. Been on the phone for the last 2 hrs digging. I cannot confirm with 100% certainty if itâs true yet, but if you ask my opinion, I think there is some serious validity to it based on what Iâm hearing now pic.twitter.com/y0SudK7Pcl
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) July 31, 2020
By the way, hanging out in my drafts is my SECOND post on Clare’s bachelors. The first was scrapped because the cast changed when the season was postponed, and I never posted the second because the only information I had on the cast was their name, age, and hometown. I can’t do anything with that. This season is going to be bonkers.
Speaking of Bachelorette news: Becca and her racist, sexist “final rose” Garrett might have FINALLY broken up.
James Murdoch has resigned from the board of directors at News Corp. Tell me again how Succession isn’t based on the Murdochs?
The Rock just bought the XFL for $15 million, which seems like a bargain? Like I read that story the first time and thought he bought a team for $15 million, which would still be cheap, but no, he bought the whole damn league. Hopefully, he’ll be able to make it more successful than that piece of trash, Vince McMann.
Giancarlo Esposito is giving away some Mandalorian spoilers.
And here’s a piece about season two of Umbrella Academy, and what you can expect from season three. Read at your own risk.
Netflix is going to make it possible to watch programs at your own speed, finally.
Something I didn’t realize until Live with Kelly and Ryan! rebroadcast Regis Philbin’s last episode of Live with Regis and Kelly! on Friday: Mike Schur is Regis’ son-in-law. Schur is married to Regis’ TV-making daughter J.J. (she is a co-creator of Single Parents, and was a producer on The O.C., Heroes and New Girl). Schur paid tribute to his father-in-law on Twitter:
I've never really been able to articulate what his life and career meant. It's too huge. You can't wrap your arms around it. He literally holds the Guinness Book Record for most hours on TV. (Like 17,000, or something equally absurd.)
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 31, 2020
Still, I've been trying for 20+ years to find a way to explain, in a pithy way, how monumental his career was in the medium that his daughter and I both work in. Over the past few days, I think I found it.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 31, 2020
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 31, 2020
You want to see a career no one will ever duplicate? Here it is. A guy who was on TV when Harvey Haddix struck out Duke Snider, and also handed million-dollar checks on a futuristic game show set. A guy who reported on both Lou Groza and Eli Manning, Yogi Berra and Gary Sanchez.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 31, 2020
If you'd like to honor Regis, please donate to https://t.co/KOXYylvKkL, to help his beloved Bronx, or the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, a charity near and dear to his heart, at https://t.co/PCcSDwFBJb.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) July 31, 2020
Chernobyl became the biggest BAFTA winner in history. Well deserved.
President Grifter is still making $1.6 million a year from The Apprentice.
Y’all. NBC wanted John Cusack to play Hannibal on Hannibal. Jesus Christ.
TV productions are returning to California thanks to a tax credit program. (Of course, whether or not they’ll actually be able to begin production in 180 days — part of the condition for the tax breaks — remains to be seen.)
The wildfire season is starting again in California. Fingers crossed it won’t be a bad one.
In Development
- Killing It, a comedy from the creators of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and starring Craig Robinson, is in the work at Peacock.
- A Luther movie is happening according to Idris Elba.
- In Treatment is coming back to HBO.
- The Last Mercenary, an action-comedy starring Jean-Claude Van Damme is being filmed for Netflix.
- Beyond Good & Evil, a film based on the video game, is in the works at Netflix.
- Here Comes the Flood, a heist film, is being developed at Netflix.
- Lost Dog: A Love Story, a rom-com, has been bought by Netflix.
Casting News
- Michael Shannon has joined the cast of Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu.
- Parvesh Cheena has joined Connecting for NBC.
Mark Your Calendar
- Fargo will return … sometime on FX.
- L.A.’s Finest will debut on Fox on September 21.
- Filthy Rich will premiere on Fox on September 21.
- Planet Earth: A Celebration will air on BBC America, Sundance, AMC, and IFC on August 31.
- The Sounds will debut on Acorn on September 3.
- Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story will debut on digital platforms on September 22.
- Growing Belushi will premiere on Discovery on August 19.
R.I.P.
Wilford Brimley, Legendary actor most famous for Cocoon, but also The Natural, The Thing, The Waltons, and Our House. Also the Quaker Oats commercials.
Wilford Brimley was the real thing: a real cowboy, a great actor, a wonderful man. I'm going to miss you, Will. Rest in peace.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 2, 2020
âGoodbye, Uncle Douvee.â RIP, Wilford Brimley.#HardTarget #JCVD pic.twitter.com/1eukpYklPg
— Jean-Claude Van Damme (@JCVD) August 2, 2020
RIP #WilfordBrimley We didnât always see eye 2 eye but I owe this Cocoon scene to Wilford who asked me to throw out the script & let him improvise while fishing w/the boy. I agreed & shot a few 3-camera set-ups & he was brilliant & honest https://t.co/hjgCVyUArc via @YouTube
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) August 2, 2020
This GIF may seem a grim given the context, but the great Wilford Brimley left us yesterday and while he was superb in many movies (China Syndrome, Cocoon, The Firm), he'll always be Dr. Blair in 'The Thing' to me, the first of the team to take a potential pandemic seriously… pic.twitter.com/WLnthMtPJw
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 2, 2020
RIP Wilford Brimley
What an absolute legend.
I was lucky enough to make my first movie with him. I was only 8, but he treated me like a peer, and gave me confidence as an actor. Forever grateful for his kindness & generosity. Plus he was funny: pic.twitter.com/SY5L5m9zib— Seth Green (@SethGreen) August 2, 2020
Mahlon Reyes, A deckhand from The Deadliest Catch
Tom Pollock, Former Chairman of Universal Pictures
WATCH THIS
Immigration Nation: Time Magazine called this documentary about the immigration system as run by the Trump administration — and the horrors therein — is the “most important TV show” you’ll see this year. Plan accordingly. Series premiere Netflix
The Fugitive: Kiefer Sutherland co-stars in this remake of the movie/TV show that maybe didn’t need to be remade? I don’t know, just talking out loud. Premiere. Quibi
Sex Next Door: This documentary follows the lives of four Seattle sex workers. Premiere. Quibi
General Hospital: New episodes today! Hooray! 2 p.m., ABC
Late Night:
- Late Night with Seth Meyers: Sean Penn, Jane Curtin, Thaddeus Dixon
- The Daily Show: The Daily Social Distancing Show
- Watch What Happens Live: Capt. Sandy Yawn, Kate Chastain
MON. | 7:00 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 8:30 | 9:00 | 9:30 |
ABC | The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons Ever! (new) |
CBS | The Neighbor-hood (repeat) |
Bob Hearts Abishola (repeat) |
All Rise (repeat) |
Bull (repeat) |
CW | Whose Line is it Anyway? (repeat) |
Whose Line is it Anyway? (repeat) |
Penn & Teller: Try This At Home Too (new) |
Local |
FOX | 9-1-1 (repeat) |
9-1-1: Lone Star (repeat) |
News/Local |
NBC | The Titan Games (new) |
American Ninja Warrior (repeat) |
I remember Brimley from his great little speech in Absence of Malice. Per IMDb: “Now we’ll talk all day if you want to. But, come sundown, there’s gonna be two things true that ain’t true now. One is that the United States Department of Justice is goin’ to know what in the good Christ – e’scuse me, Angie – is goin’ on around here. And the other’s I’m gonna have somebody’s ass in muh briefcase.”